Wednesday, December 28, 2011

I hope that everyone had the most joyful Christmas! I have to say that sharing this

Christmas with our sweet son and daughter made it one of our most memorable ever.

Here are a few snapshots from our holiday week. We moved our couch to the south side of the room (facing the tree) because we wanted to open up as much floor space for playing as possible.

We usually have a very large play yard set up in the living room, so large that it takes up half the room. It's been the best purchase we've made as it provides for wonderful safe play time (no base board heaters, cupboards or other hazards to get into), especially when Mike's at work and I'm alone with the babies. With both of us home to watch over the babies, we were able to fold it up for the holidays.

We set up our traditional cardinal Christmas tree in the dining room. This tree is especially

meaningful to us as Mike's Mom (who passed away shortly after we were married) loved cardinals.

I can tell you that this is the cleaned up version of this room. Usually, the high chairs are there, as well as lots and lots of books (for story time after meals and snacks), and other various and sundry items distributed about the floor - toys, sippy cups, finger snacks...

Next to the tree, we placed my Grandmother's old settee under the mirror at the east end of the room. I just love putting it in this room at Christmas time as its warm tones are so suggestive of the season.

The settee had originally belonged to her grandparents. She upholstered it with this toile pattern

years ago, before I was born. It is a piece I grew up with as it was in her entry way - I'd toss my

That first Christmas when they can tear into things is the best! I love the sled, and I hope you get some snow so that you can take the babies out to play. And your grandmother's settee is not only beautiful but so special too!

*** My first visit, and it's been SO DELIGHTFUL!!! Your children are SOOOO PRECIOUS!!! What blessings He has given you... Annnnd, your home is stunning!!! Lostsa love, BESIDES lotsa work, I'm sure, but WOW! What an outcome!!! It's simply UBER-FAB!!! (I LOVE it when someone knows how to edit well, & you two certainly can and do!)...

I think you have it "made in the shade", as I would LOVE to live in the country!!!

what darling babies you have! i love that you told us that the photos were the "cleaned" up version...i can definitely relate! ;)too funny about your tree and decorating all sides...it still looks lovely as all of your home does. best wishes to you for 2012!

I'm sitting here with a rapturous smile on my face sharing in your happy-happy Christmas!! Seeing Graham & Margaret enjoying all the holiday wonders for the first time is so special...they are the true gift, and seeing Margaret standing, well that was just extra special! Your cheeks must hurt from smiling so much with those two little balls of joy!Your Grandmother settee looks lovely in the dining room, it was wonderful seeing all the detailing up close, it's beautiful, as is the cardinal tree...both sweet reminders of very special loved ones.Many more blessings for the New Year Trina...Big Hugs!!xoxo J~

(Love the 'Horses' in the living room!...and btw, it's very balmy here (50's)...and very-very windy!)

Thank you for sharing photos of Graham and Margaret. They are so sweet and it's a joy seeing them grow. I love the photo of them taken from behind as they're playing with the wrapped presents. I'll bet they are quite the pair!!

I also love your choice of gifts for the twins. The sled and the sheep rocker are wonderful -- so old-fashioned and sweet. They are keepers that can be passed down to your grandchildren some day.

I am totally in love with seeing a bit of your corner of the world . . . Graham and Margaret are adorable. (I thought maybe they had reached the stage of removing ornaments from the tree . . .) I love the photo with them sitting on their legs, together, . . . with bare little feet, Margaret with her favorite red "rudolph piece" in her fingers. The tandem sled will be perfect for snowy winter days . . . IF the snow arrives . . . Thank you for sharing the children's first Christmas with us . . .Happy, Happy, Happy New Year . . .Love, Lynnej

Your babies are so adorable! Children just make Christmas so magical! I love your home. I really like your cardinal tree and may adapt that idea for my sunroom. I might put a tree in there next year, and one decorated with just birds would be fitting! Enjoy your babies, as you won't believe how quickly they grow up!

I was hoping you would share these pictures! Oh how precious!!! Looks like they are already walking and pulling up and into all sorts of self inflicted adventures. Pure bliss! Happy New Year dear Trina and Mike.xoxo Dianne

Always love your posts. My favorite image this time...the look on the babies beautiful little faces, while sitting in the sled. It is precious. A rather "ok, now what is going to happen" look. I just love it. They are so adorable.

Again, you touched my heartstrings with this post as I have 35 year old identical twin girls and it brings back all the memories of when they were young. We purchased a red Flyer sled years ago too, although not quite as fancy as yours and we never got to use it the year we purchased either due to lack of snow. And I can relate to the play yard (in my day we call them play pens) in the house, making sure the babies were safe when my husband was not there to help me. Having twins meant that they occupied each other more than a single child would have though, and we lived far from civilization so it was a blessing to have had twins I guess. And my mother-in-law passed away 4 days after we got married. We married on Dec. 17 and we had intended on telling her as a Christmas present but she unexpectedly passed away on the 21. It was not an easy season that year. And each year since we seem to remember all who have gone before us since, especially in December. It is always a bit of melancholia for me especially. Having the twins around always occupied that feeling much more than if left alone to "think". Again, the blessings that twins bring with them...what a gift!

Gorgeous Trina - your home could not be more beautiful as it is now complete with that darling little pair of explorers! I love your "how it really looks" posts - I wondered how you were coping with the chaos. I would not be doing well I suspect with stuff everywhere as I am a bit of a control freak, but I guess it all falls into perspective when the bundles of love are the ones making the mess. Love that sled!

How are you managing with the linen sofa and chairs - do you keep them covered?! I am considering the same linen for furniture but have little people over at our house and worry about sippy cups, etc.xo Terri

Yay! Been waiting for Christmas cheer pictures. The picture of the twins playing under the tree kills me. Even though you can't see their faces, their body language speaks volumes...curiosity, closeness, contentment. Lovely. And Margaret is so your mini-me. Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your holidays.

Those babies are growing so fast.....you can tell from the one picture that Graham is fast.....he was about to take off toward the camera! And little Margaret was just as content as she could be over by the window. :))

I have two boys, and they both ran fast and hard at those ages.

It looks like your home is being taken over by the children, as it should be.

Hi Terri, When we purchased our furniture, we actually kept babies in mind. It's part of the reason why we didn't want to spend too much money on them as we didn't want to fret too much about wear and tear. That said, we are in the practice of eating all meals and snacks in the dining room (in their high chairs) so that helps.

I bet you had fun watching your twin on Christmas Day. I have twin girls. They are turning 20 new years eve. But I still remember those Christmas when they were younger. Some of my best Christmas were when they were young. My husband video taped them for me. I watch the tapes every year.

I stumbled onto your blog via another, and I'm so happy I found it. LOVE your style. I went all the way back to the beginning of your blog to see how your restoration and decorating, made your home what it is today.

They story of your children was especially touching and I'm so happy you were blessed with two beautiful children.

Beautiful home. Adorable babies. My little granddaughter is nine months old and she loved the paper and gift bags the best. And climbing around on the gifts and patting the boxes. That sled is something!love the babies outfits!xo, Cheryl

MOTH & I have been oohing & aahing big time at these beautiful images Trina & Mike. Good things come to those who wait, & your wait has given you 2 little rewards beyond compare. Happy New Year to you all.Love Millie & MOTH xx

Dear Trina and Mike, the picture of the babies playing side-by-side at the tree is one the sweetest things I've seen in a long time. They are lucky little people to have such wonderful parents. Happy New Year to your lovely family.

wait until one learns to prop "the cage" (that's what my husband called it) up with a long toy and holds it up for the other to get out. and in the vein of cooperative learning, once escaped - the other does the same for their sibling. while i was proud of their accomplishments and cunning and teamwork - my heart dropped a bit that day and "the cage" just became a memory. sigh. i used it for everything - mowing the lawn, weeding the beds, cleaning without kids underfoot. double sigh.

I love your blog! I keep going back to your article in Country living! What did you use for a wall color? I have been trying to match with no success! Also I am expecting number seven. How do you think white will hold up? Beautiful home and Family! Blessings to you! Marla